They’re easy to find in any region in the state, but their population tends to be most abundant in central areas. The northern flicker, one of the largest woodpeckers in the United States, can be seen all around Minnesota no matter the season. As you’ve probably guessed by its name, this bird feeds on sap, but it also likes insects and fruits. They tend to nest in forested areas, but they change places depending on the season. During such seasons, these woodpeckers are likely to be east of the state. The thing about the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker is that they can only be found in Minnesota during their migration and breeding seasons. These birds are fairly small, but not as small as the downy woodpeckers. Like many woodpeckers, the yellow-bellied sapsucker flaunts black and white patterns on its back, but what sets them apart are its crimson crown and the pale yellow feathers on its belly. You never know what might be soaring above you. If you’re eager to spot a pileated woodpecker, take a stroll through mature, coniferous woodlands and take a look up at the sky. Our pal the pileated woodpecker is quite large and powerful compared to other species, and the cavities that it drills tend to have a rectangular shape. The pileated woodpecker has a pretty distinctive look, accentuated by red feathers on top of its head and a bright white neck, while the rest of its body is covered in black feathers. Much like the previously mentioned downies and hairies, the pileated woodpecker can be found across Minnesota throughout the whole year, but these birds tend to stick to the northern hemisphere and eastern border of the state. These birds are extremely adaptable, so they can be found almost anywhere in the United States as long as there are trees to excavate and larvae to snack on. But if the weather begins to reach bitterly cold temperatures, expect the hairy to head south until it’s warm again. The hairy woodpecker isn’t a migratory bird, so if you’re in Minnesota year-round, you’ll likely catch a glimpse of one. This species of woodpeckers excels when it comes to excavating trees, as they’re equipped with powerful bills that enable them to find insect larvae with ease. It’s also less common and more energetic. This feathered fellow is pretty similar to the downy woodpecker when it comes to its striped pattern, however, it’s significantly larger than its downy cousin. Next up on our list is the hairy woodpecker. Scientific Name: Leuconotopicus villosus.Its diet consists mainly of insects and non-insect arthropods. The downy woodpecker prefers to make its nest in dead trees, and if it can’t find any dead trees, it nests in the dead parts of living trees. Even though downies can be sighted all over Minnesota, they’re known to occupy east of the state. These little fellows have dark wings, pale bellies, and a tiny red patch on top of their heads. This species can be found in almost every state and is often found in woodlands near streams and rivers. The good-old downy woodpecker is the smallest and most common woodpecker species in the United States. It’s not a migratory bird and can be found all over Minnesota - especially in the southern portion of the state - through the entire year, but it can be forced away if the weather gets too harsh. The red-bellied woodpecker is often found in woodlands, and they prefer to nest in dead trees and their trunks. Similar to downy and hairy woodpeckers, though, our red-bellied buddy’s back has black and white striping. Red-bellied woodpeckers are easy to distinguish from their other woodpeckers because they have a very distinctive look accentuated mainly by a bright red crown on their heads and pale red bellies. Plan on visiting the North Star State soon? Make sure you’ve got your handy dandy field guide and a good pair of binoculars in hand, and see if you can find all 11 species of woodpeckers who make their homes there! Red-Bellied Woodpecker Of the 22 different species of woodpeckers in the United States, 11 can be found in the state of Minnesota, ranging from the common downy woodpecker to the less-common red-headed woodpecker and Williamson’s sapsucker.
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